There are many medical
and behavioral benefits in having your female dog or cat spayed:

1. Better health for
your pet
- Eliminates all the problems and potential risks involved in pregnancy
and birth.
- Eliminates the fairly common problems of cancer of the uterus or
pyometra as the pet ages.
- Greatly decreases the possibility of mammary tumors, especially if the
spay occurs before the first heat cycle.

2. Decreases the
overpopulation problem
- By not bringing more unwanted puppies and kittens into the world.
- Rids you of the worry of what to do with unplanned litters.

3. Eliminates sexual
frustration
- Eliminates your pet's desire to roam in search of a mate, decreasing
the problems involved in a free-roaming animal (car accidents, etc.).
- Lets your pet relax and enjoy being part of the family.

4. Convenience to owner
- Eliminates estrous or "heat" periods; no bloody discharge.
- Eliminates the scent that attracts annoying males.
- No need to confine your female while in heat, which can be costly as
females in heat can be destructive in her attempts to gain freedom.
- Eliminates the frantic pacing and crying by the female while in heat
(cats are especially vocal at this time).
- Reduced dog license fees each year will quickly cover the cost of the
operation.

MYTHS

- Spaying will make my pet fat. Not true. Spaying your pet will not make
her fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise are the main
causes of obesity.
- She should have one litter first. Not true. It is actually better for
her NOT to have a litter or a heat period before being spayed, as the
chance of reproductive cancers are greatly reduced.
- Spaying will hurt her. There is usually some discomfort the first
day after the procedure. However, vets now have a "pain patch" the
pet can wear home that relieves any discomfort. Even without the patch,
most pets are hard to keep quiet rather than being "laid up" by
the operation. What is more likely to hurt her is repeated parenthood.
- I will find homes for my puppies/kittens. Will you? Those requests
for puppies or kittens often dry up when you actually have some available.
Are you willing to care for all in the litter until you have placed
them ALL in GOOD homes? Are you willing to guarantee their health
and temperament? Or will some end up as "surplus" populating
the local pound?

WHY
NEUTER?

There are many medical
and behavioral benefits in having your male dog or cat neutered:

1. Better health for
your pet
- Eliminates your pet's desire to seek out a female and reduces the
risks involved with a free-roaming animal (car accidents, etc.).
- Virtually eliminates the risk of prostate problems and eliminates the
chance of testicular tumors.

2. Decreases the
overpopulation problem
- One male running loose for just a few hours can impregnate many
females, adding to the serious problem of unwanted puppies and kittens.

3. Eliminates sexual
frustration
- A male sensing that a female in heat is nearby is single-minded: he
will break down doors, jump fences and run in front of cars in his
desire to mate.
- Lets your pet relax and enjoy being part of the family.

4. Convenience to owner
- Reduces aggression against other animals. It decreases fights, thus
saving you expensive vetrinary bills and aggravation.
- Reduces the annoying and embarrassing urge of some male dogs to "mount" children
and adults' legs.
- No need to confine your female while in heat, which can be costly as
females in heat can be destructive in her attempts to gain freedom.
- Stops male dogs from "marking" and tomcats from
"spraying" foul smelling urine in the house.
- Reduced dog license fees each year will quickly cover the cost of the
operation.

MYTHS

- Neutering will make my pet fat. Not true. Neutering your pet will not
make him fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise are the
main causes of obesity.
- Neutering will hurt him. There is little discomfort from this
procedure, especially if done young. However, vets now have a "pain
patch" the pet can wear home that relieves any discomfort. Even
without the patch, most pets are hard to keep quiet rather than being
"laid up" by the operation. What is more likely to hurt him
is being left intact - due to increased cancer risks and risks of roaming.
- Neutering will take away the "guard dog" instincts. Not
true. Neutering a dog does not reduce its ability as either a guard
dog or a watch dog. They will still be as protective of their territory
as they were before the surgery.

If you think you want to breed, please educate
yourself first. The animals must always come first in any breeding endeavor. All
genetic tests available must be performed on the parents before breeding takes
place. And the individuals involved in breeding must be of excellent quality.